Screening services touch the lives of every family and community across Scotland. In our latest NSS Connected podcast, we catch up with Gareth Brown, Director of Screening for NSS. Gareth talks about the challenges COVID has caused and how screening teams across our NHS have risen to those challenges. He also discusses the future of screening and the opportunity to work collaboratively to continue to improve services.

Gareth also explains the crucial role of the recently established National Screening Oversight (NSO) Group that he leads and how the three components, Scottish Director of Screening, the National Screening Oversight Board (NSOB) and the National Screening Oversight Team (NSO Team), work together.

During the course of 2020/21 the work of the NSO was focussed primarily on supporting the recovery of screening programmes following the COVID-19 pause. The NSO supported partners across the system to develop and implement the screening recovery route map and all national screening programmes had recommenced the offer of screening to participants by October 2020.

Gareth also reveals how he relaxes, shares an impressive musical background and is joined by a surprise guest, his pet dog!

It's all in your latest NSS Connected Screening Special

Twitter: twitter.com/NHSNSS LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nhsnss  Podcast: nssconnected.podbean.com/  Website: nss.nhs.scot/

Welcome to this special pride episode of the podcast where we discuss all things pronouns. 

To Celebrate Mary Morgan taking up her new role as CEO we did a quiz in her honour and chatted to the women herself! We also talked to some great guests about mental health, operations of NSS and the COVID-19 response.

0:38 - Mary get to know our CEO quiz!

8:52 - Mary on starting her new role.

17:30 - Lauren Kennedy – Lead nurse for mental health and learning disabilities, NHS24

33:12 - Jessica Henderson - National Programme Director for COVID-19 response

49:44 - Joanne Smith - Facilities Manager, Facilities Services

A special bonus episode to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month and Transgender Day of Visibility. 

Check out more content here: https://twitter.com/NHSNSS 

8 March is International Women’s Day (IWD) and March is Women's History Month, so we’re celebrating! The contributions women make every day to our organisation, NHSScotland and Scotland as a whole cannot be underestimated.

00:38: Introduction – NSS presenters Lisa Walker and Karen White welcome listeners to the IWD special episode.

01:50: Mary Morgan, Chief Executive Designate (NHS National Services Scotland) and Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive (NHSScotland) talk to us about their careers, past and future challenges and their views on International Woman's Day.

31:00: Stephanie Stevenson speaks to Lindsay Robertson, Technology Services Manager (Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities, NHS National Services Scotland) about her career and IWD.

38:10: Angela chats to Lynn Anderson, Interim Manager (Living Wage Scotland) about NSS becoming an official Living Wage employer.

52:00: Stephanie Stevenson talks to Janis Heaney, Acting Associate Director for COVID-19 Testing Operations (NHS National Services Scotland) about her role, achievements and IWD.

60:00: Show close – thanks to all our guests on this special IWD episode and thank you to our listeners too!

Copyright: NHS National Services Scotland.

We welcome your feedback at nss.communications@nhs.scot

00:25: Introduction – Richard, Lisa and Karen welcome listeners to the final festive special episode of 2020

02:41: Professor Jacqui Reilly, NSS’ Director of Nursing, talks about the incredible contribution of nurses throughout NSS. She also talks about the Year of the Nurse and Midwife and what it means to the nursing community in Scotland.

16:44: Recognising Excellence – our monthly NSS shout-outs.

20:30: Dr Martin McKechnie reflects on how he came to specialise in emergency medicine and how the specialty has grown over the years. He also explains the vital role that Scotland’s Trauma Network plays in ensuring that those who suffer major trauma receive the best possible care no matter where they live within Scotland.

39:03: Learn how to find and subscribe to NSS Connected on all of your favourite podcast platforms and how you can engage with the podcast team and follow NSS over social media.

39:20: This episode’s news round-up focuses on the incredible team effort across NSS that helped Scotland’s first regional testing laboratory go live. We also reflect on the news that Jim Miller, Director of Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities, has been named as the new Chief Executive of NHS 24.

40:52: Stewart Robison, from NSS Digital and Security, shares the latest news regarding the roll-out of Office 365 and reveals his fascinating career journey to date. He also reveals how he has tackled the considerable challenge of working on key projects while working from home and being the parent of a young child.

51:13: Show close and special Christmas message thanking all of the guests on this festive episode and everyone who has played their part launching our podcast in 2020. Not forgetting the most important people, our listeners!

Copyright: NHS National Services Scotland.

We welcome your feedback at nss.communications@nhs.scot

Your new NSS Connected podcast showcases the vital work of NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and of our colleagues across Scotland's health boards.

December’s episode is a mental health and mindfulness special. We bring you in-depth features full of practical tips, with a special bonus guided breathing exercise to close the show.

The second half of our special feature on the Scottish Capsule programme (SCOTCAP) features Brendan Faulds, Director of Innovation within NSS. He shares the remarkable story behind SCOTCAP and reveals exciting plans for future innovation.

Plus all the latest news, including the launch of a new NSS-led network supporting Scotland’s 220,000 veterans, the appointment of a new chief executive for NSS, and awards recognition for heroes.

Not to mention a 60-second tips section giving practical advice on how we can improve our digital communication skills.

00:27 – Introduction with show hosts Richard, Lisa and Karen

01:33 – NSS news round-up (Veterans Network, Recognising Excellence Awards, Dave Taggart is finalist in Scottish Health Awards, Mary Morgan appointed Chief Executive of NSS)

06:15 – Part 2 of Scottish Capsule Programme (SCOTCAP) special feature. An interview with Brendan Faulds, Director of Innovation within NSS

22:58 - Fiona Shields from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service shares her experience as a mental health first aider and offers practical advice

36:19 – Stewart Robison, from NSS Digital and Security, share the secrets of ensuring our digital communication is clear and understood.

38:03 – Colby Adams, an expert on wellbeing within NSS, discusses mindfulness from her perspective as an instructor and explores the potential of online mindfulness workshops.

52:58 – Bonus feature: Guided breathing exercise led by Colby Adams

Whether you work directly for Scotland's NHS, or the work of NSS and the NHS touches upon you indirectly, NSS Connected has content for you to enjoy.

Please like, share and follow NSS Connected on your favourite podcast platforms. Follow NSS on Twitter @nhsnss

Copyright: NHS National Services Scotland.

We welcome your feedback at nhs.communications@nhs.scot

Your new NSS Connected podcast showcases the vital work of NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and of our colleagues across Scotland's health boards.

We bring you in-depth features and exclusive interviews with a wide range of guests, and share success stories from NSS and the wider NHS in Scotland. October's episode also marks Black History Month with a special double feature.

00:35 - Introduction  03:14 - Interview with Dr Angus Watson, of NHS Highland, clinical lead for the Scottish Capsule Programme (SCOTCAP).   13:08 - 60 Second Tips: Save time and manage your emails more effectively 14:38 - Celebrating Success – highlighting this month’s award wins and nominations. Featuring NSS Director of Dentistry Paul Cushley and Gordon Young, Head of Counter Fraud Services for NHS Scotland.

20:21 - Black History Month - Harry Dozier (21:06), Race Equality Policy Co-ordinator at The Scottish Government, and Dr Nicole Priddee (40:00), of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), share their personal and professional experiences.   Whether you work directly for Scotland's NHS, or the work of NSS and the NHS touches upon you indirectly, NSS Connected has content for you to enjoy.

Please like, share and follow NSS Connected on your favourite podcast platforms.

Copyright: NHS National Services Scotland.

We welcome your feedback at nhs.communications@nhs.scot